System, device, and method for tracking and monitoring mobile phone usage to deter and prevent such usage and for generating an audible alarm and/or visual alarm to maintain compliance

ABSTRACT

A system, device, and method for tracking and monitoring mobile phone usage to deter and prevent such usage and for generating an audible alarm and/or visual alarm to maintain compliance are disclosed. The system comprises a device and software on a user&#39;s mobile phone to monitor the mobile phone&#39;s usage and to prevent and/or interfere with certain of its functions while a vehicle is being operated. The device is capable of producing an audible alarm and/or visual alarm and recording information about the different states of the device, which can be transmitted to the mobile phone software. The device, in combination with the mobile phone software, can record information about certain behaviors the user engages in on the mobile phone while operating a vehicle. The system, device, and method include generating an audible alarm and/or visual alarm when the user is not complying with certain prescribed protocols.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to systems, devices, and methodsfor tracking and monitoring mobile phone usage to deter and prevent suchusage, and more particularly to a device and method that operates totrack and monitor the usage of a mobile phone in a vehicle, to generatean audible alarm and/or visual alarm to maintain compliance, and tomonitor and/or interfere with certain functions of the mobile phonewhile the vehicle is being operated. The audible and/or visual alarm tomaintain compliance is used to help prevent a user from potentiallybypassing the system and device that are intended to help preventdistracted driving.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Usage of mobile phones while driving is known to be a cause or acontributing factor in automobile crashes and fatalities. Numerousstates and municipalities have enacted laws banning or restricting theuse of mobile phones while driving. However, these laws are oftenignored and driver mobile phone distraction continues to be asignificant, and perhaps increasing, public safety concern.

As used herein, the term “mobile phone” includes any type of mobiledevice, communication device or other computing device usable by thedriver of a vehicle, including but not limited to cellular phones, smartphones, tablets, laptop computers, electronic reading devices,multimedia equipment, and any comparable device that would or could beused by a driver while operating a vehicle.

As used herein, the term “vehicle” includes any type of vehicle orautomobile that can be used to transport people or goods from onelocation to another location, including but not limited to cars, trucks,commercial trucks, recreational vehicles, buses, commercial heavy dutyequipment (e.g., earth moving equipment), military vehicles, electricbicycles, motorcycles, ships, boats, jet skis, trains, trams, hot airballoons, helicopters, planes, and any comparable type of vehicle thatpresents a risk if the operator is distracted while operating thevehicle.

Employers whose employees' duties include driving have a strong interestin knowing that those employees are driving safely. This includes adesire to limit or prevent mobile phone use and to know whether theemployees are in fact following all relevant regulations. Parents ofyoung drivers have similar interests, wanting to know that theirchildren are not using a mobile phone while driving and particularly arenot texting. In addition, certain other individuals may be concernedabout their own personal use of a mobile phone (or the mobile phone useof others) while operating a vehicle and want a device to help limittheir use of the mobile phones while driving. Some groups, such ascarpools, have interests in monitoring and knowing group members' levelof mobile phone use while they are driving. Insurance carriers also havean interest in reducing or monitoring distracted driving as distracteddriving is a contributor to many car crashes. Supporters of campaigns orpledges (such as a pledge at work not to engage in distracted driving)also have an interest in reducing distracted driving for those who havepledged not to engage in such activities. Groups of these types andothers composed of employees, insured drivers, family members orfriends, for example, could form to apply social or peer pressure topromote safe driving by limiting mobile phone usage while driving basedon recorded data about mobile phone usage while driving.

There are existing technologies that have been proposed and developed toprevent drivers from using mobile phones while driving. These are in twogeneral categories: (i) electronic or mechanical devices that are eitherinstalled into vehicle ports or mounted in the vehicle, or (ii) mobilephone applications that sense motion of the mobile phone.

Devices in the first category, electronic or mechanical devices, can beinstalled into various vehicle ports or mounted in the vehicle, and arecommonly installed into the onboard diagnostic port. U.S. federal lawmandates that every car manufactured after 1996 include an onboarddiagnostic port (“OBD II”). The OBD II is the vehicle's on-boardcomputer(s) and port that are monitoring all the subsystems of avehicle, providing real-time data and diagnostic trouble codes (this isthe same port used by technicians to obtain diagnostic trouble codeswhen the “check engine” light is on). The live data available from theOBD II can include numerous vehicle measurements and characteristics,such as vehicle speed (MPH), engine revolutions per minute (RPM),absolute throttle position, and accelerator pedal position. The OBD IIrelies on data from numerous sensors contained within the vehicle tomonitor the vehicle. The OBD II allows compatible devices the ability toobtain this data from the vehicle when it is being driven or is parked,and this data can be extrapolated to determine various aspects ofdriving habits and behaviors. These devices are often used to detect theongoing speed of the vehicle through constant monitoring, while thedevice described herein is monitoring to determine when the vehicle isturned on, when the vehicle is turned off, and when certain prescribedprotocols are violated. There can be significant vehicle battery drainfrom using data from the OBD II, as the OBD II monitors many systems ina vehicle.

Existing technologies in the second category, mobile phone applicationsthat sense motion of the phone, also suffer from several limitations.The sensing technologies rely on motion of the mobile phone to detectthat the phone's user is driving; however, the mere fact that the mobilephone is moving at the rate of speed of a vehicle does not indicate thatthe user is driving. There can be significant mobile phone battery drainfrom using these mobile phone applications as these applications oftenrely on the mobile phone's GPS.

In the present invention, generating of an audible alarm and/or visualalarm to initiate and maintain compliance, as well as when certainprescribed protocols are violated, is similar to the seat belt remindersystem (“SBRS”) warning that is generated when a driver does not bucklehis or her seat belt after a vehicle is turned on. The first driver seatbelt warning systems and seat belt interlocks date back to the 1970s,when seat belt use was as low as 12 to 15 percent. In 1971, the NationalHighway Traffic Safety Administration sought to increase seat belt useby adopting occupant protection options for vehicles manufactured after1972 that required the use of a SBRS for the front outboard seatingpositions. Ultimately, the legislation was amended to only require thatthe driver's seating position be equipped with a seat belt warningsystem that activates, under circumstances when the driver's seat beltis not buckled, a continuous or intermittent audible signal for a periodof not less than 4 seconds and not more than 8 seconds, and a continuousor flashing warning light for not less than 60 seconds after the vehicleis started. This provision has remained a part of the standard forvehicles manufactured since 1974. Through various legislation,enforcement, community outreach, technology improvements, the public'sacceptance of seat belts, and other measures, seat belt use in 2015reached 88.5 percent.

Accordingly, there is a need for a method of tracking, monitoring andpreventing mobile phone usage that does not significantly drain thevehicle's battery or the mobile phone's battery, is simple to use, andadditionally uses an audible alarm and/or visual alarm when the vehicleturns on, as well as uses an audible alarm and/or visual alarm tomaintain compliance when certain prescribed protocols are violated. Theaudible and/or visual alarm to maintain compliance is used to helpprevent a user from potentially bypassing the system and device that areintended to help prevent distracted driving. In contrast to the existingOBD II monitoring devices and the mobile phone applications described,the present invention generates an audible alarm and/or visual alarmwhen certain prescribed protocols are violated, including when thevehicle is turned on, and can be located in the vehicle's dashboard orelectronic system, such as the electronic system that is generallyassociated with the vehicle radio or music equipment, vehicle navigationequipment, vehicle heating and air conditioning system, or electroniccontrols as the access point for a vehicle monitoring device, which hasseveral inherent advantages. First, generating an audible alarm and/orvisual alarm when the vehicle turns on alerts the user to connect thedevice and the mobile phone software, similarly to the alert from theSBRS warning that is generated when a driver does not buckle his or herseat belt after the vehicle is turned on. Second, most vehiclescurrently manufactured come equipped with a dashboard or electronicsystem, and thus the present invention relates to equipment generallyavailable in a large segment of vehicles. Third, the vehicle's dashboardor electronic system is a dedicated space within the vehicle often usedfor other alert signals regarding the vehicle. Fourth, the typicalposition of the vehicle's dashboard or electronic system allows thedevice to be placed in a space where signals, such as sound and light,can be readily heard or seen by the driver. Fifth, the present inventionresults in significantly less vehicle battery drain than an OBD IIdevice. Sixth, the present invention results in significantly lessmobile phone battery drain than mobile phone applications described. Theinventions described herein addresses the above needs, as well asproviding additional features and applications, as will become readilyapparent to one of ordinary skill in the art.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to systems, devices, and methodsfor tracking and monitoring mobile phone usage while operating a vehiclein order to deter and prevent such usage and for generating an audiblealarm and/or visual alarm to maintain compliance. The audible and/orvisual alarm to maintain compliance is used to help prevent a user frompotentially bypassing the system and device that are intended to helpprevent distracted driving. The system, device, and method operate tomonitor the usage of a mobile phone in a vehicle and to prevent and/orinterfere with certain functions of the mobile phone while the vehicleis being operated. The device, which can be located in the vehicle'sdashboard, the vehicle's electronic system, or attached to anyelectrical circuitry in the vehicle, is capable of producing an audiblealarm and/or visual alarm, logging and storing information on the deviceabout the number of times and minutes that the device is in differentstates, which information can be transmitted to the application oroperating system on the mobile phone. The device, in combination withthe mobile phone application or mobile phone operating system, iscapable of logging and storing information on (i) the device and/or (ii)the mobile phone application or mobile phone operating system aboutcertain behaviors the user engages in on the mobile phone whileoperating a vehicle. As used herein, “mobile phone software” means anysoftware application on a mobile phone, any mobile phone operatingsystem, or any other software, software process, or code on a mobilephone. The device may have a certain software component in order toproperly function, as further described herein. The device is capable ofgenerating an audible alarm and/or visual alarm when the user is notmaintaining compliance with or is violating certain prescribedprotocols, including:

i) not connecting the device and the mobile phone software when thevehicle is turned on;

ii) exiting the mobile phone software while driving;

iii) stopping the connection between the mobile phone software and thedevice while driving;

iv) putting the mobile phone software in the background of the mobilephone while driving; and/or

v) engaging in certain prohibited mobile phone functions while driving.

In certain embodiments, the mobile phone software is capable ofgenerating an audible alarm and/or visual alarm when the user is notmaintaining compliance with or is violating certain prescribed protocolsas listed above.

Further areas of applicability of the present invention will becomeapparent from the detailed description provided hereinafter. It shouldbe understood that the detailed description and specific examples, whileindicating the preferred embodiment of the invention, are intended forpurposes of illustration only and are not intended to limit the scope ofthe invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention will become more fully understood from thedetailed description and the accompanying drawings, which are notnecessarily to scale, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the overall system and the device of thepresent invention.

FIG. 2 is a view of illustrative placements of the device, which can belocated on the vehicle's dashboard or the vehicle's electronic system orattached to any electrical circuitry in the vehicle.

FIG. 3 is a flow chart illustrating the determination of the state ofthe device, generating of an audible alarm and/or visual alarm inresponse to violation of prescribed protocols, and the operation of thestatus indicator light. The flow chart is an exemplifying, non-limitingdetermination of the state of the device and the corresponding operationof the status indicator light.

FIG. 4 is an illustrative chart of potential features available to limitor prevent mobile phone functionality that an administrator or user canchoose from in a user's profile. This chart is not meant to limit thedesign or provide an exhaustive list of functionality.

FIG. 5 is an illustrative chart of potential pre-defined profilesavailable to limit or prevent mobile phone functionality that anadministrator or user can choose from in a user's profile. This chart isnot intended to limit the design, pre-defined profiles available, orprovide an exhaustive list of functionality.

FIG. 6 is a graphical illustration of a computer screen showing the userrecords of the mobile phone software as seen by an administrator or userfor a 7 day or 1 week period, wherein the user's mobile phone softwareis configured to monitor mobile phone usage. The computer screen may beon different types of devices such as mobile phones, tablets, andpersonal computers.

FIG. 7 is a graphical illustration of a computer screen showing the userrecords of the mobile phone software as seen by an administrator or userfor a 1 day period, wherein the user's mobile phone software isconfigured to monitor mobile phone usage. The computer screen may be ondifferent types of devices such as mobile phones, tablets, and personalcomputers.

FIG. 8 is a graphical illustration of a computer screen showing the userrecords of the mobile phone software as seen by an administrator or userfor a 7 day period for a group of users. The computer screen may be ondifferent types of devices such as mobile phones, tablets, and personalcomputers.

FIG. 9 is a graphical illustration of a computer screen showing the userrecords of the mobile phone software as seen by an administrator or userfor a 7 day or 1 week period, wherein with the user's mobile phonesoftware is configured to prevent mobile phone usage. The computerscreen may be on different types of devices such as mobile phones,tablets, and personal computers.

FIG. 10 is a graphical illustration of a computer screen showing thedevice records for a certain vehicle as seen by an administrator or userfor a 7 day or 1 week period. The computer screen may be on differenttypes of devices such as mobile phones, tablets, and personal computers.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The following detailed description of the embodiments is merelyexemplary in nature and is in no way intended to limit the invention,its application, or its uses.

In an aspect of the present invention, a system, device and method areprovided for (i) tracking, monitoring, and preventing mobile phone usagewhile a user is operating a vehicle in order to deter and prevent suchusage, and (ii) for generating an audible alarm and/or visual alarm tomaintain compliance with certain prescribed protocols. The audibleand/or visual alarm to maintain compliance is used to help prevent auser from potentially bypassing the system and device that are intendedto help prevent distracted driving. The system, device and methodoperate to monitor the usage of a mobile phone in a vehicle and toprevent and/or interfere with certain functions of the mobile phonewhile the user is operating a vehicle. The device is configured tocommunicate with the mobile phone through a short range wirelesscommunication protocol. Such a short range wireless communicationprotocol can be used to limit the amount of battery power needed forcommunication between the device and the mobile phone. The device isconfigured to determine the vehicle state, which includes when thevehicle turns on and when the vehicle turns off, by: (i) using amicrochip to determine when the device starts receiving electricity fromthe vehicle's battery or stops receiving electricity from the vehicle'sbattery; and/or (ii) using one or more accelerometers to detectvibrations of vehicle components. In each of these methods, thecomponent of the device that is used to determine the vehicle state,i.e., microchip and/or accelerometer, is a “vehicle state sensor”. Asused herein, the term “vehicle state sensor” refers to the foregoing orto any other component of the device that is capable of detecting acharacteristic of the vehicle that may be used to determine the vehiclestate.

As used herein, the term “short range wireless communication protocol”includes any type of short range wireless communication protocol thatallows communication or the exchange of data or information betweenelectronic devices, including but not limited to ANT+, Bluetooth,Bluetooth Low Energy, Cellular, IEEE 802.15.4, IEEE 802.22 (WirelessRegional Area Network), ISA 100a, Infrared (IrDA), ISM band, Near-fieldcommunications (NFC), Radio-frequency identification (RFID), 6LoWPAN,Ultra Wideband (UWB), Wi-Fi, Wireless Body Area Networks (WBAN),Wireless Personal Area Networks (WPAN), Wireless Hart, WirelessHD,WirelessUSB, ZibBee, Z-Wave, and any comparable communication protocolthat would allow communication between two electronic devices inproximity of one another.

In another aspect of the invention, when the device and the mobile phonesoftware are connected, a software application on the mobile phone orsoftware on the mobile phone operating system is used to monitor,control, and/or prevent usage of certain features of the mobile phonewhile the user is driving. When the mobile phone software is connectedwith the device, the mobile phone may have reduced functionality, as maybe determined by an administrator or user through the user's profile byselecting to disable certain available features or through a pre-defineduser profile in the mobile phone software's settings, such as limitingor preventing all text messaging, limiting or preventing the use ofemail, limiting or preventing the use of certain applications, andlimiting or preventing the use of telephone calls. When the mobile phonesoftware is connected with the device, the mobile phone software willalso monitor the mobile phone for such functionality as telephonecalling, texting, emailing, using certain prohibited applications on themobile phone, and/or other infractions, and will store such informationon the mobile phone software and/or transmit the data to the device.Certain mobile phone operating systems may allow a user or administratorto monitor mobile phone usage and/or prevent mobile phone usage, whilecertain other mobile phone operating systems, however, may only allow auser or administrator to monitor mobile phone usage, but not to preventmobile phone usage, due to the security settings of the mobile phoneoperating system. The present invention, in its various embodiments, isadvantageously configured to operate within the restrictions of any typeof mobile phone operating system.

Referring to the figures, FIG. 1 is an overall diagram of the system ofthe present invention. The device 5 is configured to be connected to anyelectrical circuitry in the vehicle (e.g., the wiring harness orsecondary wires in a vehicle) that receives electricity directly orindirectly from the battery of the vehicle, including the vehicle'sdashboard (e.g., the dashboard behind the steering wheel or thedashboard between the passenger and the driver) or the vehicle'selectronic system (e.g., vehicle radio or music equipment, vehiclenavigation equipment, vehicle heating and air conditioning system, orelectronic controls). The device 5 includes a display region 10 and aninternal region 15. The device 5 includes an integrated microchip 25 anda wireless transmitter/receiver 50 in the internal region 15. The device5 includes a status indicator light 30, a speaker 35, and a visual alert40 that are contained in the display region 10 so that a user can hearand/or observe the alarm. Various components of the device may utilizeequipment already existing in a vehicle. Thus, the device can be aseparate after-market system or integrated into any existing equipmentin the vehicle. The status light indicator light 30 and the visual alert40 may optionally be combined into one visual light display.

The device includes a microchip 25 that can measure if the device 5 isreceiving electricity directly or indirectly from the battery of thevehicle, to determine when the vehicle is turned on and when the vehicleis turned off. As used herein, the term “microchip” includes any type ofmicrochip, computer chip, group of electronic circuits that worktogether on a small piece of hard material (e.g., silicon), orprocessing unit including but not limited to a microchip, computer chip,processing unit, or any other similar instruments that can be used todetermine if the microchip is receiving electricity directly orindirectly from the battery of the vehicle when the vehicle is turned onand when the vehicle is turned off. The device 5 may optionally furtherinclude a power source 70. The optional power source 70 may be any knowntype of portable power source, for example, a lithium ion battery. Thedevice may optionally further include an accelerometer 80. As usedherein, the term “accelerometer” includes any type of accelerometer,vibration sensor, or instrument that can be used to measureacceleration, vibration, or movement, including but not limited to anaccelerometer, gyroscope, magnetometer, or any similar instruments.

Either the vehicle's battery 110 or the optional power source 70functions to power various components of the device 5. Similarly, eitherthe vehicle's battery 110 or the optional power source 70 is used topower the microchip 25. The microchip 25 may optionally be configured tostore data related to the count and time of the device in each ofvarious states, the count and time that the audible alarm and/or visualalarm is on, as well as telephone calling, texting, emailing, usingcertain prohibited applications on the mobile phone, and/or otherinfractions, as further described herein. The speaker 35 and the visualalert 40 function primarily when the vehicle turns on.

The integrated microchip 25 of the device 5 controls the functions ofother components of the device 5, including the wirelesstransmitter/receiver 50, the status indicator light 30, the speaker 35,the visual alert 40, and the accelerometer 80. The integrated microchip25 or other components of the device 5 can have embedded softwarecapable of running processes to produce an audible alarm and/or visualalarm, log and store information on the device about the number of timesand minutes that the device is in different states, and log when usersconnect mobile phones with the device. The wireless transmitter/receiver50 communicates with a corresponding wireless receiver/transmitter 60integrated within the mobile phone 55 of the user. As indicated above,as used herein, the term “mobile phone” includes any type of mobiledevice, communication device or other computing device usable by theuser of a vehicle, including but not limited to cellular phones, smartphones, tablets, laptop computers, electronic reading devices,multimedia equipment, and any comparable device that would or could beused by a user while operating a vehicle. The wireless connectionbetween the wireless transmitter/receiver 50 and the wirelessreceiver/transmitter 60 can be any short range wireless communicationprotocol 65.

In another aspect, the system of the invention for monitoring orpreventing mobile phone use in a vehicle requires mobile phone softwareto be installed on the user's mobile phone 55. The mobile phone softwareprovides the functionality needed to interpret the short range wirelesscommunication protocol 65 signals from the device 5 and to controlvarious functions of the mobile phone 55, as further detailed herein.The mobile phone software is capable of transmitting data via the mobilephone's wireless receiver/transmitter 60 to the device's wirelesstransmitter/receiver 50 about the user's telephone calling, texting,emailing, using certain prohibited applications on the mobile phone,and/or other infractions while the user was operating a vehicle. Incertain embodiments, the user interface on the mobile phone software maybe navigated without the user needing to look at the user interface, byusing a simple menu and voice command functionality.

Once the mobile phone 55 is within the physical range for establishing ashort range wireless communication protocol 65 connection to the device5, the mobile phone software may manually or automatically connect tothe device via the short range wireless communication protocol 65. Thisprocess may occur before the vehicle turns on, for example when the useris getting in the vehicle, or these steps can occur after the vehicle ison.

In one embodiment, through its connection with vehicle's electricalcircuitry 115 to the vehicle battery 110, the device 5 uses any of theelectrical circuitry in the vehicle (e.g., the wiring harness orsecondary wires in a vehicle) to determine when the vehicle is turned onby receiving electricity from the vehicle's battery.

In a vehicle, the vehicle electrical circuitry is powered by the vehiclebattery through a closed circuit. The majority of ancillary orsubsidiary circuits are wired through the ignition switch. When thevehicle is turned on, then the electrical circuit is completed andelectricity flows through the closed circuit. By completing the circuit,then electricity flows through the ancillary or subsidiary circuits tovarious components in the vehicle, including the vehicle's dashboard andthe vehicle's electronic system. When the vehicle is turned on and thecircuit is completed and closed, the microchip 25 begins receivingelectricity from the vehicle's battery. When the vehicle is turned off,then the flow of electricity stops when the circuit is open and themicrochip 25 stops receiving electricity from the vehicle's battery.After the vehicle turns on and has been running, the vehicle alternatorprovides power to the vehicle through the vehicle electrical circuitryand recharges the vehicle battery. The present invention includes use ofthe electricity from the vehicle alternator or any other vehiclecomponent that is capable of producing electricity that flows throughthe electrical circuitry of the vehicle.

As shown in FIG. 2, the device 5 is configured to be connected to anyelectrical circuitry in the vehicle (e.g., the wiring harness orsecondary wires in a vehicle) that receives electricity directly orindirectly from vehicle battery 110, including the vehicle's dashboard(e.g., the dashboard behind the steering wheel or the dashboard betweenthe passenger and the driver), the vehicle's electronic system (e.g.,vehicle radio or music equipment, vehicle navigation equipment, vehicleheating and air conditioning system, or electronic controls), or anyelectrical circuitry in the vehicle. The wireless transmitter/receiverof device 5 communicates with a corresponding wirelessreceiver/transmitter 60 integrated within the mobile phone 55 of theuser through short range wireless communication protocol 65. Thevehicle's driver seat 101 and passenger seat 102 are illustrated in FIG.2 for reference and perspective. The dashboard 103 behind the steeringwheel, the electronic system 104 between the driver and passenger (i.e.,where vehicle radio or music equipment, vehicle navigation equipment,vehicle heating and air conditioning system, or electronic controlstypically are located) and other electrical circuitry 105 in the vehiclethat is connected to the vehicle battery are illustrative placements ofthe device 5 in the vehicle, and not meant to represent all possibleconfigurations. Device 5 is attached to the vehicle battery 110 and thevehicle electrical circuitry 115. The present invention includes anyelectrical circuitry in the vehicle, including electrical circuitryconnected in series circuit or parallel circuit configurations.

In another embodiment of the invention, the device 5 may utilize anaccelerometer to detect vibrations generated by various components ofthe vehicle when the vehicle is turned on. When a vehicle is turned on,many components of the vehicle vibrate as they receive electricity fromthe battery, and these vibrations can be detected by an accelerometer80. Since the accelerometer 80 can be a component of the device 5attached to electrical circuitry that is generally close to the largerworking components of a vehicle, the accelerometer is in close proximityto many of the components of a vehicle that vibrate when they receiveelectricity. Thus, the device 5 is particularly well located in thevehicle to detect vibrations. By detecting these vibrations through theaccelerometer 80, then the device 5 will determine when the vehicle isturned on through the vibrations caused by components of the vehiclereceiving electricity. Similarly, the accelerometer 80 may be used todetect decreased vibrations of vehicle components to determine when thevehicle is turned off. Additionally, the accelerometer 80 could be usedto measure if a vehicle is in motion.

In some embodiments, a combination of the microchip method described andthe accelerometer method described are used to determine the vehiclestate. The ability to use a combination of the microchip methoddescribed and the accelerometer method described to determine thevehicle state also has broader application outside of the presentinvention and other devices directed toward the problem of distracteddriving, such as for dashboard cameras/video recorders on a vehicle'swindshield, or any other electronic device for which it would beadvantageous to determine when a vehicle is turned on and when a vehicleis turned off.

The device 5 registers the event of the vehicle turning on through themicrochip 25 receiving electricity from the vehicle's battery and/or theaccelerometer 80 detecting vibrations of the vehicle's components, andinitiates a timer. The user must activate and connect the mobile phonesoftware to the device 5 within a defined time frame after the vehicleis turned on. If the user does not connect the mobile phone softwarewithin that time frame, an audible alarm and/or visual alarm isgenerated and output through the speaker 35 and/or the visual alert 40,respectively. The audible alarm and/or visual alarm will continue eitheruntil the user activates the mobile phone software and connects to thedevice 5 or potentially until a defined time limit for the alarm isreached. This audible alarm and/or visual alarm when the vehicle turnson can be thought of as similar to the alarm process commonly generatedin a vehicle when a user does not buckle his or her seat belt whiledriving. This audible alarm and/or visual alarm for a SBRS warning isgenerally understood within the vehicle market, and as such, the device5 uses a well understood audible alarm and/or visual alarm mechanism toalert users of the need to connect the device 5 with the mobile phonesoftware. If the defined time limit is reached, the device 5 can logthat the user initiated a trip without connecting the mobile phonesoftware and device 5 or that the user initiated a trip, but exited themobile phone software. The device 5 may also log the total amount oftime and number of times that an alarm has been active for a particularuser or vehicle.

The device 5 is capable of generating an audible alarm and/or visualalarm when the user is not maintaining compliance with or is violatingcertain prescribed protocols, including the following non-limiting listof prescribed protocols:

(i) not connecting the device and the mobile phone software when thevehicle is turned on;

(ii) exiting the mobile phone software while driving;

(iii) stopping the connection between the mobile phone software and thedevice while driving;

(iv) putting the mobile phone software in the background of the mobilephone while driving; and/or

(v) engaging in certain prohibited mobile phone functions while driving.

In certain embodiments, the mobile phone software is capable ofgenerating an audible alarm and/or visual alarm when the user is notmaintaining compliance with or is violating certain prescribed protocolsas listed above.

The device is capable of counting the number of times a certainprescribed protocol violation occurs and/or the number of minutes forwhich the prescribed protocol violation occurs. Prescribed protocolsassociated with the audible alarm and/or visual alarm are intended tomaintain compliance and keep the mobile phone executing the software tohelp limit or prevent distracted driving. Initially, when the vehicle isturned on, an audible alarm and/or visual alarm alerts the user toconnect the device and the mobile phone software, similar to the alertfrom the SBRS warning when a driver does not buckle his or her seat beltafter the vehicle is turned on. After this connection between the mobilephone software and the device is initially established, the user couldattempt to circumvent compliance with the distracted driving solution bysimply exiting the mobile phone software, thus potentially bypassing thesoftware that is an essential component of the system, device and methodintended to help prevent distracted driving. However, an audible alarmand/or visual alarm can be generated if the user exits the mobile phonesoftware. The audible alarm and/or visual alarm would alert the user toreturn to the mobile phone software associated with the distracteddriving solution. Similarly, the user could attempt to circumventcompliance with the distracted driving solution by simply putting themobile phone software (e.g., mobile phone application) in the backgroundof the mobile phone while driving. By putting the mobile phone softwarein the background of the mobile phone, the user could return to the mainmenu of the mobile phone interface or could gain access to other mobilephone applications (e.g., Facebook app or Snapchat app) or functions ofthe mobile phone (e.g., telephone calling, texting, or emailing) eventhough the mobile phone software is still running, thus potentiallybypassing the mobile phone software that is intended to help preventdistracted driving. However, an audible alarm and/or visual alarm can begenerated if the user puts the mobile phone software in the backgroundof the mobile phone. The audible alarm and/or visual alarm would alertthe user to return to the mobile phone software associated with thedistracted driving solution. Alternatively, the user could attempt tocircumvent compliance with the distracted driving solution by simplystopping the connection between the mobile phone software and the devicewhile driving, and then performing actions not in compliance with thesolution. By stopping the connection between the mobile phone softwareand the device while driving, the user could attempt to stop the shortrange wireless communication protocol 65, and thus potentially stop theaudible alarm and/or visual alarm. After stopping the connection via theshort range wireless protocol, the user could attempt to circumventcompliance with the solution, including by (i) exiting the mobile phonesoftware while driving, or (ii) putting the mobile phone software in thebackground of the mobile phone while driving. However, because theaudible alarm and/or visual alarm can be generated when the connectionbetween the mobile phone software and the device is stopped, then thesolution helps prevent the user from circumventing such compliance andpotentially bypassing the software that is intended to help preventdistracted driving. In some embodiments, an audible alarm and/or visualalarm may be generated each time the user engages in certain behavior onthe mobile phone while driving, such as telephone calling, texting,emailing, using certain prohibited applications on the mobile phone,and/or other infractions.

In some embodiments, the device will have a unique number associatedwith it. The mobile phone software may use this unique number to logwhich device the user connects with the user's mobile phone. The devicewill also log a unique identifier for the user's mobile phone todetermine which mobile phones have connected with a particular device.Moreover, the device can also be limited to only accept the uniqueidentifier for the mobile phone of the user. This functionality isintended to ensure that the mobile phone of the user is connecting withthe appropriate device.

Once the mobile phone software and device have been connected, themobile phone software may (i) monitor which mobile phone functions areperformed by the user, and/or (ii) prevent the user from performingprohibited functions on the mobile phone. These monitored and/orprohibited functions may be selectively defined by an administrator oruser and may include, for example, limiting or preventing telephonecalls, texting, emailing, and/or any other specific functions orapplications on the mobile phone. The administrator may select when toreceive notifications about the user, such as if the user violatescertain prescribed protocols, if the user engages in telephone calling,if the user engages in texting, if the user engages in emailing, if theuser engages in the usage of certain prohibited applications on themobile phone, if the user has certain infractions occur, if certainstates of the device occur, and/or if the device has not connectedwithin a defined time period (e.g., a day). An individual user's profileof monitored or prohibited functions may be selectively defined orinclude pre-defined profiles, such as no use, limited use with thetelephone, or limited use without the telephone. The user profile isdefined in the mobile phone software settings and will automaticallyapply those settings when the mobile phone software is activated and themobile phone 55 is connected to the device 5.

In certain embodiments, the mobile phone software may includefunctionality to determine the speed of the mobile phone and monitor orprevent the user from performing the prohibited functions only when thespeed exceeds a defined value, for example fifteen miles per hour.Vehicle speed may be determined using GPS technology of the mobilephone. This optional speed check feature allows the user to request thatthe mobile phone software determine whether the user is traveling underthe defined speed threshold by having the user initiate a speed checkthrough the mobile phone software interface. A user would initiate thespeed check if the user would like to use the full functionality of themobile phone when the vehicle is stopped, such as at a stoplight, stopsign, or waiting in a parking lot. The speed check can utilize the GPStechnology embedded in the mobile phone. Such GPS technology and methodsfor monitoring the same are well known within the art. When the userinitiates the speed check, then the GPS of the mobile phone willdetermine if the mobile phone is moving over the speed threshold. If thevehicle is under the speed threshold, then full functionality of themobile phone will be allowed until the mobile phone reaches the speedthreshold again (e.g., the user is initially stopped at a stoplight, theuser initiates the speed check and is allowed to use the fullfunctionality of the mobile phone as the mobile phone is under the speedthreshold; the light then turns green, and the user begins to drive;once the mobile phone reaches the speed threshold, then the mobile phonefunctionality will be limited again). Engaging GPS technology on amobile phone causes significant battery drain of the mobile phone. Thus,a significant advantage of only using the mobile phone's GPS for limitedamounts of time during the trip is that the mobile phone software willnot constantly use the mobile phone's GPS technology, thereby minimizingthe drain on the mobile phone's battery. Alternatively, speed may bedetermined using GPS technology that is available in the vehicle, thusnot using the mobile phone's battery.

In certain embodiments, the mobile phone software may includefunctionality to determine when the mobile phone is in motion and tomonitor or prevent the user from performing the prohibited functionsonly when the mobile phone is in motion. This mobile phone sensortechnology may determine motion of the mobile phone by using the mobilephone's accelerometer, the mobile phone's gyroscope, and/or the mobilephone's magnetometer. In certain embodiments, this optional mobile phonesensor technology feature allows the user to request, through the mobilephone software interface, that the mobile phone sensor technologydetermine whether the mobile phone is in motion. Functions in severaloperating systems include the ability to have a mobile phone applicationor mobile phone operating system utilize data from the mobile phone'saccelerometer, the mobile phone's gyroscope, and/or the mobile phone'smagnetometer. By using this data, the mobile phone software candetermine if the mobile phone is in motion. A user could be providedfull functionality of the mobile phone when the vehicle is not inmotion, such as at a stoplight, stop sign, or waiting in a parking lot.This optional feature would utilize the sensor technology embedded inthe mobile phone. Such sensor technology and methods for monitoring thesame are well known within the art. The sensors on the mobile phone willdetermine if the mobile phone is in motion. If the vehicle is not inmotion, then full functionality of the mobile phone will be alloweduntil the mobile phone is in motion again (e.g., the user stops at astoplight, the sensor technology determines the mobile phone is not inmotion, full functionality of the mobile phone is provided as the mobilephone is not moving; the light then turns green, and the user begins todrive; once the mobile phone is moving again, then the mobile phonefunctionality will be limited again). Alternatively, motion may bedetermined using accelerometer technology that is available in thevehicle, thus not using the mobile phone's battery.

When the mobile phone software is connected with the device, the mobilephone software will also monitor or prevent the mobile phone for suchfunctionality as telephone calling, texting, emailing, using certainprohibited applications on the mobile phone, and/or other infractions,and will store such information on the mobile phone software and/ortransmit the data to the device. In some embodiments, certain mobilephone operating systems will allow a user or administrator to both i)monitor mobile phone usage, and/or ii) prevent mobile phone usage. FIG.6 is a graphical illustration of a computer screen showing the userrecords of the mobile phone software as seen by an administrator or userfor a 7 day or 1 week period with the user's mobile phone softwareconfigured to monitor mobile phone usage. If monitoring of mobile phoneusage is utilized, the user's usage of the mobile phone software ismonitored when the user is engaging in telephone calling, texting,emailing, using certain prohibited applications on the mobile phone,and/or infractions on the mobile phone. FIG. 9 is a graphicalillustration of a computer screen showing the user records of the mobilephone software as seen by an administrator or user for a 7 day or 1 weekperiod with the user's mobile phone software configured to preventmobile phone usage. When the user's mobile phone software is configuredto prevent mobile phone usage, then the mobile phone software canprevent the user from engaging in telephone calling, texting, emailing,and/or using certain prohibited applications on the mobile phone.Certain mobile phone operating systems may allow a user or administratoronly to monitor mobile phone usage, but not to prevent mobile phoneusage; in addition, monitoring on such operating systems may be morelimited. If a user exits the mobile phone software process while driving(i.e., while the device is in the “connected” state, as furtherdescribed below), then the device may create an audible alarm and/orvisual alarm to alert the user to return to the mobile phone software,as previously discussed. In some embodiments, if either the monitormobile phone usage, or prevent mobile phone usage functionality of themobile phone software is utilized, then the mobile phone software willalso monitor for other infractions. User profile options in the mobilephone software settings regarding i) potential features available tolimit or prevent mobile phone functionality that an administrator oruser can choose from, and ii) potential pre-defined profiles availableto limit or prevent mobile phone functionality are further describedbelow. In certain embodiments, depending on the operating system of themobile phone, the user and/or administrator will be able to either a)both monitor mobile phone usage and prevent mobile phone usage, or b)only monitor mobile phone usage, which could affect the i) potentialfeatures available to limit or prevent mobile phone functionality thatan administrator or user can choose from, and ii) potential pre-definedprofiles available to limit or prevent mobile phone functionality.

In certain embodiments, the user profile settings of the mobile phonesoftware allow the administrator and/or user to select which mobilephone features are available to a user (i.e., features that are notprohibited) when the device and the mobile phone software are connected.FIG. 4 provides a high level overview of potential features that areavailable to be selected by the administrator and/or user. The abilityto select features allows the administrator or user to determine whichmobile phone functions will be monitored or prevented and which mobilephone functions will be allowed when the mobile phone software of theuser is connected to the device. The administrator or user can determineif the speed check feature and/or mobile phone sensor technology isavailable, if the user can engage in telephone usage, and whichapplications are allowed to be used. However, these functions will beavailable when the mobile phone software is not connected to the deviceor if the mobile phone is determined to be below the speed thresholdthrough the user initiated speed check, if the speed check feature hasbeen made available by the user and/or administrator. Alternatively, ifthe mobile phone sensor technology feature has been made available bythe user and/or administrator, these functions will be available whenthe mobile phone is not in motion as determined by the mobile phonesensor technology.

In another embodiment, the administrator and/or user will only be ableto select from pre-defined profiles available for the user's profile inthe settings on the mobile phone software. An individual user'spre-defined profile of prohibited functions may include, for example, i)no use of any mobile phone functions while the device and the mobilephone software are connected, ii) limited use of mobile phone functionsand no use of telephone calling while the device and the mobile phonesoftware are connected, or iii) limited use of mobile phone functionsand with use of the telephone calling while the device and the mobilephone software are connected. FIG. 5 provides a high level overview ofpotential pre-defined profiles available for a user's profile. Thepre-defined profiles are provided in order to reduce confusionexperienced by a user or administrator when setting up a user profile.Additionally, the pre-defined profiles improve comparability of scoringbetween users when these users join groups or have a network of friendsas further described herein. When the pre-defined profile for no use ofany mobile phone functions is selected, then the mobile phone softwarewill monitor or prevent all functions on the mobile phone, includingtexting, emailing, voice calling (except 911), and/or using mostapplications on the mobile phone, except a limited number of pre-defineduser necessary applications, such as mapping applications or musicapplications. However, these functions will be available when the deviceand the mobile phone software are not connected or if the mobile phoneis determined to be below the speed threshold through the user-initiatedspeed check, if the speed check feature has been made available by theuser and/or administrator. Alternatively, if the mobile phone sensortechnology feature has been made available by the user and/oradministrator, these functions will be available when the mobile phoneis not in motion as determined by the mobile phone sensor technology.When the pre-defined profile for limited use of mobile phone functionsand no use of the telephone for a voice call while driving is selected,then the user can use pre-defined applications, such as mapping andapplications for music. The user will be monitored or prevented fromtexting, emailing, using certain prohibited applications, and/or makingor receiving voice calls in this mode. However, these functions will beavailable when the device and the mobile phone software are notconnected or if the mobile phone is determined to be below the speedthreshold through the user-initiated speed check, if the speed checkfeature has been made available by the user and/or administrator.Alternatively, if the mobile phone sensor technology feature has beenmade available by the user and/or administrator, these functions will beavailable when the mobile phone is not in motion as determined by themobile phone sensor technology. When the pre-defined profile for limiteduse of mobile phone functions and allowed use of the telephone for voicecalling while driving is selected, then the user can use pre-definedapplications, such as mapping and applications for music. The user willbe monitored or prevented from texting, emailing, and/or using certainprohibited applications, but can make and receive voice calls in thismode. However, these functions will be available when the device and themobile phone software are not connected or if the mobile phone isdetermined to be below the speed threshold through the user-initiatedspeed check, if the speed check feature has been made available by theuser and/or administrator. Alternatively, if the mobile phone sensortechnology feature has been made available by the user and/oradministrator, these functions will be available when the mobile phoneis not in motion as determined by the mobile phone sensor technology.

In some embodiments, automatic answering can be enabled for incomingtelephone calls, emails, and/or text messages to the mobile phone. Forexample, incoming telephone calls may be answered with a message thatthe user of the mobile phone is currently driving and will respond tothe telephone call when he or she is available. The caller may choose toleave a voice message. Similarly, an incoming email may be answered withan automatic return email that the user is driving and will respond whenhe or she is available. Likewise, an incoming text message may beanswered with an automatic return text message that the user is drivingand will respond when he or she is available.

In certain embodiments, the mobile phone software will have two types ofentitlements, i) administrators, and ii) users. The following examplesof administrator entitlements are meant to provide some examples ofadministrator abilities, and are not an exhaustive list. As previouslydiscussed, the administrator may, through the user's profile in thesettings for the mobile phone software, control which functions of themobile phone are monitored or prevented when the device and mobile phonesoftware are connected. The administrator may be able to choose, in theuser profile settings of the mobile phone software, which potentialfeatures and mobile phone functions are monitored or prevented when themobile phone software and device are connected, as shown in FIG. 4. Theadministrator may be able to choose in the settings which pre-definedprofiles are applied to the user's profile when the mobile phonesoftware and device are connected, as shown in FIG. 5. In addition, theadministrator may disable the “off” state functionality, as definedbelow, of the device. The reason for this is that the “off” statefunctionality is intended as the device's state when a user does notcarry a mobile phone while driving, but a user could attempt tocircumvent compliance by putting the device in the “off” state when inthe fact the user is carrying a mobile phone while driving. Therefore,an administrator may want to prevent such behavior. Upon review of thedevice's stored information, an administrator reasonably familiar withthe user's expected driving patterns could possibly detect suchbehavior. The administrator may monitor the amount of time for whichprescribed protocols are violated. The administrator may select when toreceive notifications about the user, such as if the user violatescertain prescribed protocols, if the user engages in telephone calling,if the user engages in texting, if the user engages in emailing, if theuser engages in using certain prohibited applications on the mobilephone, if the user has certain infractions occur, if certain states ofthe device occur, and/or if the device has not connected within adefined time period (e.g., a day).

After the user's completion of a vehicle trip, the device 5, through oneor more of the vehicle state sensors, determines when the vehicle isturned off, and the device and/or mobile phone software registers acompleted trip. The device can register when the vehicle is turned offand the completion of the trip through the microchip method describedabove or the accelerometer method described above. In certainembodiments, after completion of a trip, the connection between thedevice 5 and the mobile phone 55 will terminate and the device 5 willtransmit data to the mobile phone 55.

In some embodiments, the device can register completion of a tripthrough a combination of one or more of (i) the microchip methoddescribed above, and/or (ii) the accelerometer method described above.Additionally, the device may have a setting in which a user can selectto hear an audible alarm and/or visual alarm, or receive an alert viathe mobile phone, at the completion of a trip to serve as a reminder forother purposes. This feature has many useful applications, for example,alerting the user could remind him or her that a baby is in the back ofthe vehicle, particularly during hot summer months. Or, for example, thealarm could be useful in vehicles that use a keyless fob, which does notrequire a physical key to be inserted into the vehicle ignition switch,for alerting the user that the trip is complete so that the engine doesnot continue to run and emit carbon monoxide, particularly in the garageof a house, after the user exits the vehicle.

The status indicator light 30 on the device 5 can indicate a pluralityof device states. A flow chart illustrating an exemplifying,non-limiting determination of the device state and the correspondingoperation of the status indicator light is shown in FIG. 3. The statusindicator light may indicate an “on” state, e.g., by illuminating as agreen light. The “on” state indicates that the device is ready to (i)track, monitor, or prevent mobile phone usage while a user is operatinga vehicle in order to deter and prevent such usage, and (ii) generate anaudible alarm and/or visual alarm to maintain compliance with certainprescribed protocols. The device will track the total time, e.g., inminutes, which the device remains in an “on” state, storing thisinformation in the device. Such tracking is important to trackcompliance with the system.

The status indicator light 30 may indicate a “connected” state, e.g., byilluminating as a green light. In certain embodiments, the statusindicator light will turn off after a certain period of time to reducepower use. The “connected” state is initiated when the mobile phonesoftware is connected to the device. In order to enter a “connected”state, the device must first be in an “on” state. When the “connected”state occurs, the device and the mobile phone software are connected,and the mobile phone software is used to monitor, control, and/orprevent usage of certain features of the mobile phone while the user isdriving. The device remains in the “connected” state any time while theuser has connected the mobile phone software to the device when driving.The device will track the total time, e.g., in minutes, which the mobilephone software and device remain in a “connected” state and count thenumber of times that the device and mobile phone software connect,storing this information in the device. To receive credit for the totaltime in a “connected” state and the number of times that the device andmobile phone software connect, it may be necessary for the vehicle to beon for a minimum amount of time, such as 2 minutes. In certainembodiments, the device may store which users connected a mobile phoneto the device and may only allow certain users to connect to thatdevice. Additionally, there could be a preferred order for which user'smobile phone will connect to the device when there are multiple users'mobile phones associated with a device within distance to connect viashort range wireless communication protocol 65.

The status indicator light 30 may also indicate an “off” state for thedevice, e.g., by illuminating as a yellow light. In the “off” state, thedevice 5 will not (i) track, monitor, or prevent mobile phone usagewhile a user is operating a vehicle in order to deter and prevent suchusage, and (ii) generate an audible alarm and/or visual alarm tomaintain compliance with certain prescribed protocols. The “off” stateis activated when the device has been turned off through the userinterface of the mobile phone software by the user. The “off” state maybe requested by the user, and is used when the user is driving without amobile phone. A user can toggle between the “on” state and “off” stateby using the mobile phone software when the mobile phone software anddevice are connected via the short range wireless communication protocol65.

The device automatically logs the number of times the device is in eachstate and the total amount of time the device is in each state. As such,the device will track the total time that the device remains in eachstate and count the number of times that the device remains in eachstate, storing this information in the device. Thus, the device canaccount for the device state at all times. The device can also recordthe amount of time in which the audible alarm and/or visual alarm on thedevice is generated and which prescribed protocols were violated. Themobile phone software can record the amount of time that certainfunctions of the mobile phone are being used, such as time spent ontelephone calling, texting, emailing, using certain prohibitedapplications on the mobile phone, and/or other infractions. Every timethe device connects to the mobile phone software or completes a trip,the data for the time the device has spent in each state and the countof times the device was in each state as well as the data for the timethe device has spent with the audible alarm and/or visual alarm on andthe count of times the device had the audible alarm and/or visual alarmon are transmitted to the mobile phone software, which then transmitsthe data to a remote storage database. Thus, in certain embodiments, auser or the administrator may be able to receive information on a user'srecent trip soon after the trip is completed. However, after a trip iscompleted and prior to the next trip, if the device is in an “on” stateor “off” state, then the data stored during this period in the devicewill be transferred to the mobile phone software the next time that thedevice connects to the mobile phone software; this is generallynecessary as the mobile phone software and device must connect totransfer the data. The “on” and “connected” states are generallyassociated with a positive behavior (i.e., the user is complying withthe expected behaviors in using the device). The “off” state is used todisable generating an audible alarm and/or visual alarm when the user isnot complying with certain prescribed protocols, but this functionalitymay be disabled by an administrator, as it could lead to circumventingcompliance as described above. Users and administrators can then accessand view data associated with the device through the mobile phonesoftware interface as illustrated in FIG. 10. The device data isspecific to a device in a certain vehicle, and could include multipleusers utilizing the same vehicle.

Users and administrators can then access and view data associated withtheir mobile phone through the mobile phone software interface or mobilephone operating system interface as illustrated in FIGS. 6, 7, 8, and 9.FIGS. 6, 7, 8, and 9 are graphical illustrations of a computer screenshowing the user records of the mobile phone software as seen by anadministrator or user; FIG. 10 is a graphical illustrations of acomputer screen showing the device records as seen by an administratoror user. FIGS. 6, 7, and 9 illustrate the ability to track and monitormobile phone usage based on different views of durations of time. FIGS.6 and 7 illustrate the ability to monitor compliance with prescribedprotocols, telephone calling, texting, emailing, using certainprohibited applications on the mobile phone, and/or other infractions.

FIG. 8 is an illustration of the mobile phone software interface showingdata for a group of users that is utilizing the device and mobile phonesoftware. The viewable records provide transparency and monitoringcapabilities for each user's mobile phone usage while driving. Certainviews may be only available to administrators. A group could help itsmembers track their own compliance and apply social or peer pressure forother members not to engage in distracted driving. In certainembodiments, users may invite other users as a friend, and the friendwill be able to see the scoring and have transparency into the user'sbehaviors. Similarly, the user may have transparency into the scoring ofthe friends in his or her network. The scoring system encourages socialpressure and individual monitoring to improve user behavior. The mobilephone software allows users to join groups or connect with friends toimprove on their driving behaviors together. Users may also joinchallenges or campaigns in which users may compete to achieve a certaingoal or goals during a defined time period. Through the trackingfunctionality, full transparency is provided into the user's behaviorsregarding their compliance with the distracted driving solution, andthen out to members of groups or networks of friends, and potentiallythe broader public. By having full transparency, other users thatinteract with a certain user may decide to attempt to alter the behaviorof the user. For example, a father may decide to limit his son's use ofthe vehicle if the son continues to engage in distracted driving or agroup of parents that carpool together may not invite another parent tobe in the carpool if he or she continues to engage in distracteddriving. The groups and friends allow significant benefits of providingincentives and social pressure to help reduce distracted driving. Thescoring also provides positive reinforcement to the user for his or herimprovement, similarly to other mobile phone applications synced withperformance devices, such as fitness applications.

In certain embodiments, the device scoring system illustrated in FIG. 10utilizes the data from the device indicating the number of times thedevice is in each state, the total amount of time the device is in eachstate, the number of times the device has the audible alarm and/orvisual alarm on, and the total amount of time the device has the audiblealarm and/or visual alarm on. As such, the device scoring systemutilizes the device's tracking of the total amount time that the deviceremains in each state, counts of the number of times that the device isin each state, the total amount of time that the audible alarm and/orvisual alarm are on, and counts of the times the audible alarm and/orvisual alarm are on, while storing this information in the device. Thedevice data is specific to a certain vehicle, and could include multipleusers utilizing the same vehicle. The device scoring system is meant tomonitor compliance when there is no user's mobile phone (thus, when notin a “connected” state) connected via short range wireless communicationprotocol 65 to the device. Device scores are positively rewarded forconnecting the device and mobile phone software to monitor or preventmobile phone functionality when the vehicle turns on and leaving thedevice in an “on” state. Device scores are neither rewarded norpenalized when the device is in the “off” state. “Alarm #/Mins” canmeasure the number of times the alarm was generated and the time thatthe alarm was on, which for the device scoring system is when a userdoes not connect the mobile phone software to the device after thevehicle is turned on. The device scoring system illustrated in FIG. 10shows the total time that the device is “on” in an illustrative example.For example, a device that is “on” for 24 hours a day will go 1,440minutes a day (60 minutes×24 hours) with the device “on.” If the deviceis “off”, then this data will be stored in the device and eventuallytransmitted to the mobile phone software. The total minutes in a givenday is 1,440 minutes, which will be recorded in the “on” and “off”states. The “connected” state is the total time during which the mobilephone software and device are connected and overlaps with the “on”state. The “connected” state is not included in the device scoring, butcan be tracked by the device. If the device remains in the “on” stateand users connect the mobile phone software to the device every timethat the vehicle is driven, then 100 points a day will be received forthe device score. By using 100 points a day for such a behavior, thedevice score is rewarded for always complying with the distracteddriving solution throughout the day.

In certain embodiments, an app scoring system for an individual usertakes into account the user's behaviors with his or her mobile phonewhile driving, such as complying with prescribed protocols, telephonecalling, texting, emailing, using certain prohibited applications on themobile phone, and/or other infractions. The app scoring data is meant tomonitor compliance for an individual user when the user's mobile phone(thus, when in a “connected” state) is connected via short rangewireless communication protocol 65 to the device. “Alarm #/Mins” canmeasure the number of times the alarm was generated for violatingprescribed protocols and the time that the alarm was on when the mobilephone software and device are “connected.” Similarly, “Telephone Call#/Mins” can measure the number of telephone calls and the time oftelephone usage (telephone usage can be monitored or prevented based onthe user's profiles) when the mobile phone software and device are“connected.” “Text #” can measure the number of texts (texts can bemonitored or prevented based on the user's profiles) when the mobilephone software and device are “connected.” “Email #/Mins” can measurethe number of emails and the time spent in the email application (emailscan be monitored or prevented depending based the user's profiles) whenthe mobile phone software and device are “connected.” “Prohibited Apps#/Mins” can measure the number of prohibited applications utilized onthe mobile phone, the number of times such applications are utilized,and the time that the users spent in these prohibited applications onthe mobile phone (prohibited applications can be monitored or preventeddepending based the user's profiles) when the mobile phone software anddevice are “connected.” “Other Infractions” can measure certain otherusage of the mobile phone when the mobile phone software and device are“connected.” For example, a user may set a goal to limit mobile phoneusage to less than 25% of the time while driving. By monitoring theamount of time the user is engaging in voice telephone calling whileconnected during an individual trip, the mobile phone software anddevice can determine if the other infraction has occurred. Of course,the user may choose to leave the mobile phone software alone whiledriving and not interact with the mobile phone, thus remaining in thesystem's mobile phone software during the entire trip. The “connected”state is the total time when the mobile phone software and device areconnected and overlaps with the “on” state. The alarm, telephonecalling, texting, emailing, using certain prohibited applications on themobile phone, and/or other infractions can also be monitored, withappropriate scoring deductions applied for engaging in such behavior. Ifa user does not violate prescribed protocols, does not use thetelephone, does not text, does not email, does not use any prohibitedapplications, and does not have any other infractions, then the userwill receive 100 points a day. By using 100 points a day for such abehavior, a user is neither rewarded nor penalized for the total numberof trips completed in a given day, but instead the user is rewarded foralways complying with the distracted driving solution throughout theday.

The device and app scoring system can provide a consistent metric withviews available over periods of time, such as ranging from a day to ayear. The device and app scoring system can create a uniform mechanismto compare users. The app scoring mechanism can also help users to setgoals, such as reducing telephone usage while driving (assuming thisfeature has been available to the user), in order to reduce overalldistracted driving. Setting goals (and receiving feedback on how well anindividual is performing against such goals) is often used in self-helpdevices, such as fitness devices and CPAP (continuous positive airwaypressure) devices. Mobile phone applications are increasingly used totrack and share with others an individual's performance on a device.Scoring mechanisms reward users for engaging in safe positive behaviorswhile penalizing negative behaviors. With the scoring, views areprovided of different periods of time. For example, views are availableto see the results over a day, a week, a month, a 6 month period, or ayear. The user and the administrator can see views of every differentperiod of time to see progress over periods or to analyze certain trendsin behavior.

It will therefore be readily understood by those persons skilled in theart that the present invention is susceptible to broad utility andapplication. Many embodiments and adaptations of the present inventionother than those herein described, as well as many variations,modifications, and equivalent arrangements, will be apparent from orreasonably suggested by the present invention and the foregoingdescription thereof, without departing from the substance or scope ofthe present invention. Accordingly, while the present invention has beendescribed herein in detail in relation to its preferred embodiments, itis to be understood that this disclosure is only illustrative andexemplary of the present invention and is made merely for purposes ofproviding a full and enabling disclosure of the invention. The foregoingdisclosure is not intended or to be construed to limit the presentinvention or otherwise to exclude any such other embodiments,adaptations, variations, modifications, and equivalent arrangements.

What is claimed is:
 1. A system for monitoring or preventing use of oneor more of a plurality of functions of a mobile phone of a user when theuser is in a vehicle, comprising: a device comprising one or morevehicle state sensors, a wireless transmitter and a microchip configuredto receive and store data; and the mobile phone of the user, comprisinga wireless receiver and software, wherein data from the one or morevehicle state sensors are used to determine a vehicle state, thewireless transmitter of the device communicates the vehicle state to themobile phone via the receiver and an audible alarm is generated when theuser is violating certain prescribed protocols.
 2. The system of claim1, wherein a visual alert is generated when the user is not maintainingcompliance with or is violating certain prescribed protocols.
 3. Thesystem of claim 1, wherein the user violating prescribed protocolsincludes one or more of: not connecting the device and the mobile phonesoftware when the vehicle is turned on; exiting the mobile phonesoftware while driving; stopping the connection between the mobile phonesoftware and the device while driving; putting the mobile phone softwarein the background of the mobile phone while driving; and engaging incertain prohibited mobile phone functions while driving.
 4. The systemof claim 1, wherein the microchip is further configured to record thenumber of times the audible alarm is generated and the total amount oftime that the audible alarm is generated.
 5. A process for monitoring orpreventing use of one or more of a plurality of functions of a mobilephone of a user having monitoring software when the user is in a vehiclehaving a monitoring device, comprising the steps of: determining whetherthe user has violated one or more prescribed protocols; and, generatingan audible alarm when the user violates the one or more prescribedprotocols, wherein the prescribed protocols include one or more of: notconnecting the device and the mobile phone software when the vehicle isturned on; exiting the mobile phone software while driving; stopping theconnection between the mobile phone software and the device whiledriving; putting the mobile phone software in the background of themobile phone while driving; and engaging in certain prohibited mobilephone functions while driving.
 6. The system of claim 5, wherein thedevice further comprises a vehicle state sensor, and the devicedetermines a vehicle is turned on through the vehicle state sensor andgenerates an audible alarm if the user does not connect the device andmobile phone software.
 7. The system of claim 5, wherein a visual alertis generated when the user violates one or more of the prescribedprotocols.
 8. The system of claim 5, wherein the device is furtherconfigured to record the number of times the audible alarm is generatedand the total amount of time that the audible alarm is generated.
 9. Asystem for monitoring and recording use of one or more of a plurality offunctions of a mobile phone of a user when the user is in a vehicle,comprising: a device comprising one or more vehicle state sensors, awireless transmitter and a microchip configured to receive and storedata; and the mobile phone of the user, comprising a wireless receiverand software, wherein data from the one or more vehicle state sensorsare used to determine a vehicle state, the wireless transmitter of thedevice communicates the vehicle state to the mobile phone via thereceiver and the software monitors use of one or more of the pluralityof functions of the mobile phone and records use of the one or more ofthe plurality of functions of the mobile phone and the vehicle statereceived from the device.
 10. The system of claim 9, wherein an audiblealarm is generated in response to violations of prescribed protocols,including one or more of: not connecting the device and the mobile phonesoftware when the vehicle is turned on; exiting the mobile phonesoftware while driving; stopping the connection between the mobile phonesoftware and the device while driving; putting the mobile phone softwarein the background of the mobile phone while driving; and engaging incertain prohibited mobile phone functions while driving.
 11. The systemof claim 9, wherein the vehicle state sensor comprises a microchipconfigured to determine when the microchip starts receiving electricityfrom the vehicle's battery and when the microchip stops receivingelectricity from the vehicle's battery.
 12. The system of claim 9,wherein the vehicle state sensor comprises an accelerometer formeasuring vehicle vibrations.
 13. The system of claim 9, wherein thedevice is operationally engaged with any electrical circuitry in thevehicle that receives electricity directly or indirectly from thebattery of the vehicle.
 14. The system of claim 9, wherein a user's useof one or more of the plurality of functions of the mobile phone isviewable by an administrator.
 15. The system of claim 9, wherein themobile phone further comprises a GPS sensor; and the mobile phonesoftware further comprises a speed check feature, whereby the userrequests through an application interface on the mobile phone that thesoftware determine whether the user is traveling under a defined speedthreshold, the software periodically acquires data from the GPS sensorto determine if the mobile phone is moving at a speed under the speedthreshold and the software monitors and records use of one or more ofthe plurality of functions of the mobile phone in response to the datareceived from the GPS sensor, allowing full functionality of the mobilephone if the phone is moving under the speed threshold and monitoringand recording use of one or more of the plurality of functions of themobile phone if the mobile phone is moving over the speed threshold. 16.The system of claim 9, wherein the mobile phone further comprises amotion sensor; and the mobile phone application further comprises amotion check feature, whereby the software application periodicallyacquires data from the motion sensor to determine if the mobile phone isin motion and the software application monitors and records use of oneor more of the plurality of functions of the mobile phone in response tothe data received from the motion sensor, allowing full functionality ofthe mobile phone if the phone is not in motion and monitoring andrecording use one or more of the plurality of functions of the mobilephone if the mobile phone is in motion.
 17. The system of claim 9,wherein the software is configured to determine if the user is a driverof the vehicle.
 18. The system of claim 17, wherein the device furthercomprises a unique number for identifying the device; the mobile phonefurther comprises a unique identifier for identifying the mobile phone;the wireless transmitter of the device communicates the unique number ofthe device to the mobile phone via the receiver; and the software usesthe unique number and the unique identifier to determine if the user isa driver of the vehicle.
 19. The system of claim 9, wherein themicrochip is further configured to record the number of times theaudible alarm is generated and the total amount of time that the audiblealarm is generated; and the software generates a user score based on thenumber of times and the total amount of time that the audible alarm isgenerated and on the usage of one or more of a plurality of functions ofthe mobile phone.
 20. A system for preventing use of one or more of aplurality of functions of a mobile phone of a user when the user is in avehicle, comprising: a device comprising one or more vehicle statesensors, a wireless transmitter and a microchip configured to receiveand store data; and the mobile phone of the user, comprising a wirelessreceiver and software, wherein data from the one or more vehicle statesensors are used to determine a vehicle state, the wireless transmitterof the device communicates the vehicle state to the mobile phone via thereceiver and the software prevents one or more of the plurality offunctions of the mobile phone in response to the vehicle state receivedfrom the device.
 21. The system of claim 20, wherein an audible alarm isgenerated in response to violations of prescribed protocols, includingone or more of: not connecting the device and the mobile phone softwarewhen the vehicle is turned on; exiting the mobile phone software whiledriving; stopping the connection between the mobile phone software andthe device while driving; putting the mobile phone software in thebackground of the mobile phone while driving; and engaging in certainprohibited mobile phone functions while driving.
 22. The system of claim20, wherein the vehicle state sensor comprises a microchip configured todetermine when the microchip starts receiving electricity from thevehicle's battery and when the microchip stops receiving electricityfrom the vehicle's battery.
 23. The system of claim 20, wherein thevehicle state sensor comprises an accelerometer for measuring vehiclevibrations.
 24. The system of claim 20, wherein the device isoperationally engaged with any electrical circuitry in the vehicle thatreceives electricity directly or indirectly from the battery of thevehicle.
 25. The system of claim 20, wherein a user's use of one or moreof the plurality of functions of the mobile phone is viewable by anadministrator.
 26. The system of claim 20, wherein the mobile phonefurther comprises a GPS sensor; and the mobile phone software furthercomprises a speed check feature, whereby the user requests through anapplication interface on the mobile phone that the software determinewhether the user is traveling under a defined speed threshold, thesoftware periodically acquires data from the GPS sensor to determine ifthe mobile phone is moving at a speed under the speed threshold and thesoftware prevents use of one or more of the plurality of functions ofthe mobile phone in response to the data received from the GPS sensor,allowing full functionality of the mobile phone if the phone is movingunder the speed threshold and preventing use of one or more of theplurality of functions of the mobile phone if the mobile phone is movingover the speed threshold.
 27. The system of claim 20, wherein the mobilephone further comprises a motion sensor; and the mobile phoneapplication further comprises a motion check feature, whereby thesoftware application periodically acquires data from the motion sensorto determine if the mobile phone is in motion and the softwareapplication prevents use of one or more of the plurality of functions ofthe mobile phone in response to the data received from the motionsensor, allowing full functionality of the mobile phone if the phone isnot in motion and preventing use one or more of the plurality offunctions of the mobile phone if the mobile phone is in motion.
 28. Thesystem of claim 20, wherein the software is configured to determine ifthe user is a driver of the vehicle.
 29. The system of claim 20, whereinthe device further comprises a unique number for identifying the device;the mobile phone further comprises a unique identifier for identifyingthe mobile phone; the wireless transmitter of the device communicatesthe unique number of the device to the mobile phone via the receiver;and the software uses the unique number and the unique identifier todetermine if the user is a driver of the vehicle.
 30. The system ofclaim 20, wherein the microchip is further configured to record thenumber of times the audible alarm is generated and the total amount oftime that the audible alarm is generated; and the software generates auser score based on the number of times and the total amount of timethat the audible alarm is generated and on the usage of one or more of aplurality of functions of the mobile phone.